Understanding autism, fostering inclusion and sharing practical resources: this is the mission of HASILUX, the platform created by Joanne Theisen and Gérard Kieffer, both from Luxembourg. Their goal is to enable better inclusion in the world of education and, in the future, in the workplace, by connecting resources, solutions and lived experiences.
Discover the personal stories of Joanne and Gérard through this feature and learn what led them to collaborate on such an ambitious project.
Two journeys, one common vision
It all begins with two individuals with different paths but driven by the same desire to help and create a positive impact.
Joanne Theisen, 36, studied Educational Sciences at the University of Luxembourg and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in organisational development and inclusion in Germany. She worked for seven years in a non-profit organisation, where she was responsible for communication, training, project management and awareness-raising. Since mid-2023, she has been working as an independent consultant and trainer specialising in autism, as well as an ambassador for invisible disabilities.
Gérard Kieffer, 44, holds a degree in management and works both as an independent IT consultant and trainer, while also being employed at Akzent - Zenter fir accessibel Kommunikatioun as a digital accessibility expert. He has led a training project focused on the accessibility of public infrastructure and also worked for ASTI (Association de Soutien aux Travailleurs Immigrés) on a series of debate-conferences related to migration.
"We worked in the same non-profit and discovered a shared social interest", they explain.
But it was their complementary skill sets that ultimately brought them together on this project.
The birth of HASILUX
The idea for HASILUX was born in 2024 during a conversation following a joint workshop that included a reading by Luxembourgish author Isabelle Marinov, the presentation of the Tentacle Toolbox by Carla Carvalho, and emotional regulation activities led by Lis Thomé from the Familljen-Center and Joanne Theisen. Joanne recalls: "When talking with Isabelle Marinov, Carla Carvalho and Barbara Hippler, we realised there were many successful stories of resilience that could be combined with research to create new resources on the topic and make them accessible to those in need of support."
Driven by her passion for collecting, structuring and making information accessible, Joanne wrote an 80-page document gathering a wide range of resources and key contacts. But after receiving several comments, she decided to rethink the project’s format:
"People told me, ‘It’s a great idea, really useful! But no one will read an 80-page book!"
That’s when Joanne reached out to Gérard.
"He was very motivating and kept telling me we could do it!"
Thanks to his expertise, Gérard suggested creating a website to make the content available to everyone. They launched the project in autumn 2024 with the valuable support of the Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte, which funds projects of public interest. HASILUX was officially launched in January 2025.
HASILUX (short for Handbuch fir Autismus a Schoulinklusioun zu Lëtzebuerg) is designed primarily as a tool for awareness, support and knowledge-sharing. The platform offers three main sections:
- Resources and testimonials written by autistic volunteers, their relatives and professionals;
- A directory of organisations and contact points related to autism and inclusion;
- A Q&A currently in development.
The integration of multimedia content such as podcasts and videos is also planned for the future.
For Gérard, HASILUX is first and foremost a "manual for autism and education in Luxembourg". And although the journey was not without challenges (volunteer coordination, managing an overload of information and technical aspects), the positive feedback from users and support from partners confirm the project’s success.
"Seeing that our website is used by our target audience is the best reward. It works and it’s useful."
Today, the site is widely visited by the National Education sector, and the duo has even been invited to the 2025 Inclusion Day of the OEJQS, scheduled for 23 October, a meaningful recognition.
A Glimpse of the HASILUX Platform
Autism in the workplace
Across Europe, 1 in 100 people are believed to be autistic (Autism-Europe, 2017), representing around 6,000 people in Luxembourg, according to the FAL (Fondation Autisme Luxembourg). More broadly, about 15% of Luxembourg’s population reported having a disability (2021 census), but their employment rate remains significantly lower than that of people without disabilities. At the end of 2023, there were 7,227 workers or job seekers officially recognised as employees with disabilities in Luxembourg.
While autism concerns society as a whole, the professional world remains a particularly sensitive area. Joanne, who was diagnosed as autistic at the age of 26, knows this well. Her early professional experiences were not easy, especially during her internships and first jobs, where she received no appropriate support.
"I didn’t know my sensory, cognitive, communicative and social profile, in short, how I functioned, what I needed and where my limits were. I tried to do things like everyone else, but it didn’t work."
Today, she knows that trying to adapt alone, without environmental support or adjustments, is both ineffective and exhausting. The obstacles remain numerous: job interviews, implicit communication, social codes, sensory overload, organisational difficulties, lack of awareness, or the management of stress and conflict. Yet, with a few adaptations, these barriers can quickly disappear, such as workplace adjustments, personalised support, clarity in communication, respect and recognition of diverse skills, and above all, active listening.
As an independent worker, Joanne has been able to choose her own schedule, working conditions, colleagues, partners and clients, allowing her to remain productive and maintain her mental well-being.
Examples of Joanne’s work environment tools
Companies and Inclusion
For Joanne and Gérard, the main challenge remains the lack of awareness. Many employers assume ready-made solutions exist, whereas inclusion is more of an ongoing process of dialogue, learning and adaptation, starting from onboarding, based on mutual understanding. Autism is a spectrum: every person is unique, and there is no universal solution that works for everyone. However, companies can seek guidance or training from professionals and autistic individuals themselves.
"Send meeting agendas in advance, clarify tasks and responsibilities, ensure regular feedback, develop a culture of diversity, and review communication and social interaction practices," advises Joanne.
Gérard adds: "We should see obstacles not as problems, but as opportunities to find solutions together."
He believes that the world of work suffers from a general lack of discussion around diversity, whether in terms of age, professional experience, language or education. In Luxembourg, initiatives such as the Diversity Charter or the Diversity Awards encourage companies to adopt inclusive practices, but there is still progress to be made.
HASILUX aims to contribute to this cultural shift and to the development of a society that values diversity while promoting the rights and skills of every individual. Through their actions, Joanne and Gérard advocate for active, informed, practical and differentiated inclusion, achieved through both awareness-raising and adaptation.
A few books on autism and work recommended by Joanne and Gérard
Joanne and Gérard’s message
Joanne encourages autistic individuals to understand their own profiles, needs and strengths, to seek support and to build professional experience.
"There are always solutions, don’t give up! When you find them, share them with others. Laughter, celebrating every success and mutual support also help a lot."
For his part, Gérard hopes that employers will understand that discussing specific needs is not taboo but rather a key to working better together.
Through HASILUX, Joanne and Gérard are not just raising awareness, they are creating a space where autistic people’s voices are heard and valued. Their commitment proves that inclusion and performance are not opposites, and that understanding difference is already building a fairer, more human workplace.
Also worth reading: The testimony of Patrick Simon, Communication and Public Relations Officer at the Fondation Autisme Luxembourg.
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